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Solve Alphabet and Number Sequences Using Addition and Subtraction

In this worksheet, students will solve sequences involving combined letter and number pairs, using addition and subtraction, in both a forward and reverse motion. It will develop students’ problem solving and sequencing skills.

Worksheet Overview

QUESTION 1 of 10

Wow, you are really getting the hang of this, could you help us with this next challenge? It’s about time we had an expert on the team.

These sequences involve both letters and numbers! The letters and numbers are joined together in a special order.

Here is the alphabet for you to use as a reference:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Look at the following letter and number pair sequence:

F45 is to G43 as J37 is to ______?

First, we need to work out how the first letter becomes the second letter.

The letters are moving one place to the right in the alphabet.

Now we need to work out how the first number becomes the second number. This happens by subtracting two each time.

So we need to add one letter to J and subtract two numbers from 37 to get K35.

So the answer is:

F45 is to G43 as J37 is to K35.

Let’s try another:

Z14 is to S11 as K9 is to ______?

First, we need to work out how the first letter becomes the second letter.

The letters are moving seven places to the left in the alphabet.

Now we need to work out how the first number becomes the second number. This happens by subtracting three each time.

So we need to see which letter is seven before K.

and subtract three numbers from 9 to get D6.

So the answer is:

Z14 is to S11 as K9 is to D6.

In this activity, you will need to be a sequence superstar to complete the number and letter pairs.

Pssstt!! Here’s a handy hint to help you reach superstar status:

Remember to use the alphabet line to help you work out the code.

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

P67 is to Z129 as D58 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

H109 is to D18 as M134 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

R147 is to J98 as Y122 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

G103 is to Q182 as W87 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

L175 is to C91 as O191 is to _____ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of numbers. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different numbers.

V173 is to Z74 as Z181 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

Y91 is to O186 as K102 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

D149 is to P72 as W138 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

L191 is to U86 as V167 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

W163 is to O54 as T171 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ANSWERS

Question 1

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

P67 is to Z129 as D58 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

N120

EDDIE SAYS

Thanks for your help sequence solving, detective! There are two sequences here. The letter sequence follows the alphabet forwards ten jumps. The number sequence is add 62.
Top tip: The letters can jump forwards or backwards and the number sequence can be addition or subtraction. You can work out the letter sequence first, then the number one.

ANSWERS

Question 2

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

H109 is to D18 as M134 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

I143

EDDIE SAYS

Use the alphabet line to work out that the letter sequence is to make four jumps backwards in the alphabet. The number sequence is to subtract 91.
Top tip: If you are finding it tricky to work out the number sequence mentally, you may find it useful to have a piece of paper and pencil handy. One method is to add/subtract the tens, then do the same for the units.

ANSWERS

Question 3

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

R147 is to J98 as Y122 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

Q73

EDDIE SAYS

How are you getting on? The letter sequence here is to take ten jumps forwards in the alphabet. The number sequence is to subtract 49.

ANSWERS

Question 4

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

G103 is to Q182 as W87 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

G166

EDDIE SAYS

Did you find the missing letter and number? The letter sequence is to take ten jumps forwards in the alphabet. This might be confusing, as you get back to G again!
The number sequence is to add 79.

ANSWERS

Question 5

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

L175 is to C91 as O191 is to _____ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

F107

EDDIE SAYS

You're a super sequence solver! The letter sequence is to make nine jumps backwards in the alphabet. The number sequence is to subtract 84.

ANSWERS

Question 6

Here are two groups of numbers. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different numbers.

V173 is to Z74 as Z181 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

D82

EDDIE SAYS

The letter sequence is to make four jumps forwards in the alphabet. The number sequence is to take away 99.
Excellent sequence spotting!

ANSWERS

Question 7

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

Y91 is to O186 as K102 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

A197

EDDIE SAYS

Did you work this one out? The letter sequence is to make ten jumps backwards in the alphabet. The number sequence is to add 95.

ANSWERS

Question 8

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

D149 is to P72 as W138 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

I61

EDDIE SAYS

Lots of jumps here! The letter sequence here is to make twelve jumps forwards in the alphabet. The number sequence is to subtract 77.

ANSWERS

Question 9

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

L191 is to U86 as V167 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

E62

EDDIE SAYS

Great number and letter locating! The letter sequence is to take nine jumps forwards in the alphabet. The number sequence is to subtract 105.

ANSWERS

Question 10

Here are two groups of letter and number sequences. Each group follows the same special sequence, but with different letters and numbers.

W163 is to O54 as T171 is to ______ ?

You may use the alphabet chart below to help you.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CORRECT ANSWER

L62

EDDIE SAYS

Have you been counting accurately on the alphabet line? The letter sequence is to make eight jumps backwards in the alphabet.
The number sequence is to subtract 109. Thanks for lending us your expert skills today, detective. Hope to see you soon!

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